Why is the rudder not used to steer a plane in normal flight?

Question

I have just read this and it proves that what i though was wrong.

"At this point, it is probably well to point out that the rudder does not steer the aircraft in normal flight. The rudder does not turn the aircraft; rather, its primary purpose is to offset the drag produced by the lowered aileron. "

So how does a plane steer?

I know that a plane will roll to a 45 degree bank to turn but i presumed this was just another way of steering, perhaps a faster way. I presumed that a plane would use its rudder to turn.

Answer 1

A short answer!

Consider it a trim control

Answer 2

No, the rudder CAN assist when making a turn, but the airliens are what really turns the plane...

But the rudder can make small corrections, but not a full bank

the Ailerons provide roll control...

Answer 3

I've flown a plane and it's the combo of the two that turn it.  Aileron without rudder puts you in a slight roll, but a coordinated turn will use both rudder and aileron.  To negotiate a turn, you are instructed to "step on the ball" (press on foot pedal on the ball side of the turn coordinator indicator), and this definitely is using the rudder.

I think the text is just trying to point out that a plane's rudder is different than one on a boat, in it's function.

Answer 4

Jeez people. I'm not even going to try to correct this one.

Answer 5

The WING steers the plane as it is banked.

(a 45 Deg. bank is pretty extreme).

The rudder is used only to correct yaw, (Avoid 'skidding').

(In a steep climb, it is not unusual to be holding

right rudder in a left turn to correct for "P factor".)

Answer 6

When an airplane banks, it converts vertical lift into horizontal lift, which is what causes the airplane to turn.

Thats the simple explanation.

Answer 7

They are used to keep the "ball" in the center during turns. I don't know about you but I hope Yahoo Team understands what I mean by Ball.

Airplanes have something called YOKE, that you move left, right, push down, pull back.

Answer 8

A rudder is used to point the nose.  Many planes use both at the same time.  The rudder is also used for cross winds to keep the plane trimmed on course.

The ailerons roll the plane and then the elevator is used to complete the actual turn.  As the plane rolls essentially the elevator becomes the rudder.  You can roll a plane right and push the elevator down and the plane will still turn left.   I fly my model planes much like the plane races you see on redbull events and it is mind boggling what you can actually do if you know how.

Answer 9

both r used